Several Waikato people featured in the New Year’s Honours list. Senior writer
Mary Anne Gill spoke to one of them - Paula Baker - who was recognised for her services to health governance and the community.
Paula Baker is a great believer in networks.
Looking at the list of organisations she has been involved with – starting with Plunket as a new mother – to her new role at Waihikurangi Trust, the charitable arm of Ngāti Maniapoto’s postsettlement governance entity Te Nehenehenui, one thing stands out.
While they are all different entities, the work they do has that common thread – making a difference in people’s lives.
“I just felt that I could bring some different networks and contacts through the table with all the different organisations I know in health and knowing the great need in health, I felt that I could make a big contribution to a Māori organisation like Waihikurangi,” says Baker on why she applied to become a trustee.
Auckland-born Baker, 57, who now lives in Tamahere, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to health governance and the community.
The citation singled out her involvement with Braemar Charitable Trust where she became a trustee in 2014 and general manager in 2016.
The trust owns Braemar Hospital in Hamilton, one of the country’s leading private surgical hospitals and uses its profits to put back into the community on health-related initiatives like the free surgical days held last year which enabled 111 people to receive life-changing procedures.
“That was a dream come true for
the trust,” says Baker.
“It was just amazing, really amazing, the feeling, the number of people who had volunteered and just looking at the people coming through the door and knowing that actually they were having a procedure they’d been waiting for quite a long time for is pretty mind boggling.
“It absolutely changes their lives. Some people got picked up for things that wouldn’t have been picked up if they hadn’t been there.”
The patients come via GP referrals and off the Waikato Hospital waiting list, like the children who need tonsils out or grommets in and face more than two years’ pain.
The trust also provides free dental care via a mobile service. Baker says the link between oral and cardio health is not well understood.
A collaboration with Women’s Refuge this year will provide much needed dental care for women looking to reestablish themselves in the community.
There are never any regrets about going to work, she says.
“The most important thing is as soon as you talk to someone about it describe what you’re doing, you realise there are people that can help in some way.
“Actually, the power of the collective effort just blows my mind. Because you can provide one little slice, but someone can add something and then suddenly you’ve got this integrated programme that can make a difference.”
Baker’s route to the not for profit sector, a space “where I want to be,”
started soon after her first daughter Kaitlyn was born 25 years ago.
She and husband Stuart – chair of DV Bryant Trust in Hamilton and born in Te Awamutu – met while they were both at Massey University, lived briefly in Auckland and then moved to the Waikato.
Baker volunteered and then worked for Plunket in the community finding her natural home in the health sector.
“You get so much more out of working in this space because of the amazing, inspiring people you work with every day knowing you are making a difference in some small way is very satisfying.”
She went on to become deputy chair of Hospice Waikato – chairing the Finance, Audit and Risk committee – and the New Zealand Dietitians Board and served on the boards of Presbyterian Support (Northern), Kerikeri Retirement Village and Community Living Trust in Hamilton.
She also volunteered for St John as a member of Waikato Hospital’s Friends of the Emergency Department.
“That’s really a great thing to do. I’m going to go back and do that one day. Such a comfort to people in ED who aren’t used to being somewhere like that, particularly older people. It’s nice to be able to make a cup of tea and sit and talk.”
It was second daughter Emma, 23, who got her into cricket administration when she started playing the game at St Peter’s School in Cambridge. She went on to play for the Northern Districts
women’s Braves team and has just been accepted into the Master of Nursing programme at Waikato University.
Kaitlyn is an environmental/ natural resources engineer with WSP Engineering in Hamilton and has been working in North America where the family reunited for a holiday over Christmas-New Year before returning to Hamilton on January 6.
“Like you do, you volunteer, you help with what you can help with and that’s how I got involved in the Hamilton Cricket Association and then Northern Districts.”
She chaired the Hamilton association and then sat on ND’s board, standing down early last year when she felt herself getting stretched thin.
She is still on the Alandale Foundation, Waihikurangi, New Zealand Dental Council, Braemar, a trustee of Sky City Hamilton Community Trust and a member of the Waikato Community Lotteries distribution committee.
Baker describes them as providing a good balance.
“To be honest they all actually feed into each other.
“There’s a lot of great people in our region. There’s a lot of connections and willingness to find a solution
Paula Baker
to some of the big problems,” says Baker.
• See waikatobusinessnews.nz for others on the New Year’s list including philanthropist Sir John Gallagher, Ian Foster, Fred Graham, Clare Hutchinson, Ingrid Huygens, Fred Irvine, Paul Malpass, Asad Mohsin, Linda Te Aho, Anita Varga, Sally Davies, Marie Gilpin, Valerie Lissette, Ron Moles, Fiona Murdoch, Rangimahora Reddy, Richard Steele and Grahame Webber.
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Students choose Australia
By Chris Gardner
Five Waikato University Management School students identified Western Australia as the best opportunity for a Hamilton software specialist to grow its transport informatics business.
The management of physical infrastructure assets was a global challenge. Countries spend between 0.2 per cent and 4.8 per cent of gross domestic product on inland transport infrastructure. Fourth year Business Strategy course students Lucy de Andrad Always of Waihi Beach, Emma Carter of Cambridge, Rebekka King of Tauranga, Anmoldeep Khakh of Te Puke and Rebecca Stainton of Hamilton landed on Western Australia after researching Australia, Germany and the UK as potential markets to take Company-X national roading insights software tool. Company-X head of sales and marketing Damian Bartolomucci said the students put together a
new brand strategy for the worldfirst technology.
“They then put together a new brand strategy on a transport informatics product to help us get there along with a marketing strategy on partnerships that we could pursue and budget events and key stakeholders who are in that space and a project plan with KPIs.”
Artificial intelligence could soon help users of the Transport Insights tool make better datadriven decisions because of the partnership between the university and Company-X.
Company-X built Transport
Insights for the Road Efficiency Group, also known as Te Ringa Maimoa, for the use of every road controlling authority in the country. The tool is used to make evidence-based decisions on New Zealand’s national roading network.
The project will focus on transport and infrastructure by leveraging data to enhance the speed and effectiveness of decision-making for asset managers responsible for maintaining infrastructure such as roading, water and energy.
It will combine research and expertise from the University’s
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, School of Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Institute, and Waikato Management School.
It is envisioned the partnership will develop a system that integrates advanced asset management data visualisations with artificial intelligence, enabling asset managers to make more efficient and effective decisions on road maintenance and renewal.
Both organisations hope the partnership will also impact the fields of primary industries, smart manufacturing and management.
Historic hotel to re-open
A refurbished 29-bed luxury hotel managed by Capstone Hotel Management will open in Cambridge this year.
Formerly the Masonic Hotel, which had a presence in the Waipā town since 1866, it is now called The Clements after Archibald Clements who developed the original building. Capstone managing director Clare Davies said the renovation by owners Gerry Westenberg and Jo Pannell was “stunning”.
“It has been a true labour of love spanning multiple years to preserve many of the hotel’s original features, from the sweeping wooden staircase, stained-glass windows, to the red brick walls and high ceilings.”
The original 150-year-old basement has been converted into an authentic underground speakeasy bar named ‘1866’ and inspired by the iconic speakeasy bars of Chicago.
Clements was mayor and a member of the road and Waikato Hospital boards before retiring to Auckland, where he died in 1927 aged 91.
The hotel was built of timber for him and rebuilt and enlarged
with shops and a billiard saloon in 1878. A balcony was added in 1882.
Fire destroyed the hotel in 1911 and neither the owner Victor Cornaga, who purchased the freehold in 1900, nor the proprietor had much in the way of insurance.
Despite this Cornaga, who had emigrated to New Zealand from Malta in 1857, announced a week later he would rebuild the hotel of brick and commissioned noted architect John Currie to design it. Currie designed several buildings around New Zealand including in Auckland, the Kiwi Tavern in Britomart Place and the Altrans Building in Quay Street.
His Masonic Hotel design was influenced by Beaux Arts, a form of architecture taught in France from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century, although others say it is Edwardian commercial classicism.
It opened to the public in October 1912, seven months after work started.
The hotel’s refurbishment was supported by Heritage New Zealand as the hotel is an historic Category 2 building.
The downstairs Speakeasy bar at The Clement Hotel in Cambridge.
The signature Gallery Restaurant overlooking the terrace and gardens.
Anmol Khakh Emma Carter Lucy de Andrad Always Rebecca Stainton Rebekka King
Health disparities
Waikato Wellbeing Project has launched Framing Food Insecurity in the Waikato as part of the Kai Challenge and Te Ara Poutama knowledge initiative. It is the first of three pivotal research reports aimed at tackling food insecurity and poverty in the region. Nearly 10 per cent of households in the region – and 10-12 per cent of children - face food insecurity highlighting system inequities and long-term disparities in health and wellbeing.
Road reopens
A road which provides a critical connection between Horsham Downs Rd ad Borman Rd West near Rototuna High School and the Rototuna Village has opened. Mana whenua, elected members, school students and members of the local community gathered to celebrate the opening of a new section of Borman Rd in Rototuna, Hamilton.
Landscape treasures
The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum, Tauwhare exhibition - in collaboration with The Arts House Trust - features works made by Paul Dibble, Terry Stringer, Brett Graham and Greer Twiss. The exhibition opened last month for the summer and includes presentations and workshops to engage the public and create a meaningful sculptural dialogue and meeting point.
Contract extended
Hamilton City Council has extended the contract of chief executive Lance Vervoort another two years. Vervoort, who was appointed in September 2021, had done a very good job, said mayor Paula Southgate and been a “very steady hand.” Council voted to extend Vervoort’s contract 9-4.
Double delight
Electric double decker buses are in service on the Waipā regional routes from Te Awamutu-Kihikihi and Cambridge to Hamilton. Waikato Regional Council is responsible for planning and providing bus services in the region. The electric buses are a big step forward in Waipā district’s ongoing effort to make public transport more accessible, efficient, and ecofriendly.
Service to community in spades
Working in a medical centre can be both rewarding and demanding. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill meets a woman who has been working in the same Fairfield practice for 40 years.
It was October 1984 when Judy Cowie first started work at Fairfield Medical Centre in Hamilton.
She and then fiancé Grant Cowie were not long back in New Zealand after three years’ living and working in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Judy, born in Huntly, went to Fairfield Primary, Fairfield Intermediate and Fairfield College so taking a job at Fairfield Medical Centre was like coming home.
She is still there on the front line in reception and administration seeing the great grandchildren of patients she welcomed into the practice 40 years ago.
So much has changed since then not only in the community and the practice but in Judy’s life too.
She initially started part time covering for another woman and then became full time in March 1985 – the same month she and Grant got married.
There was no time for a honeymoon.
Grant had a job as a professional tennis coach around the region. The couple who had met at college went on to have two sons – Adam, 33, and Logan, 29 and grandson Hunter, 11, a keen motocross rider.
While Judy and Grant live in Flagstaff, she still considers herself a “Fairfield girl”.
Things have changed at the practice.
“We were paper appointment books back then. The main change were doctors doing (baby) deliveries and house calls.”
There were four doctors – Michael Easther, Malcolm Porteous, Frank Cullen and Jim Primrose - four nurses and three on reception.
Today there are seven doctors, including Frank who founded Pinnacle as a GP membership network, and he went on to serve many years as chair.
Today, like most practices, the telephone calls
for same day appointments can be overwhelming.
“We’re not too bad here, you can normally get seen in the next couple of days,” says Judy although because patients are often loyal to their own doctor, there can be some pressure when their GP is away.
“Everybody’s ‘urgent’ is different.”
They have only stopped using masks inside the practice post Covid in the last two months.
Judy remembers the pressure Covid put on patients and the practice. They were fretful days, she recalls.
The Fairfield suburb is an international melting pot. In Judy’s time at the practice there has been a large intake of Somali refugees, South Africans, Pacific Islanders and Koreans as well as the existing long term European and Māori residents.
“It’s a bit of a mixture really. There are some people who have lived here 40-50 years.”
In the practice itself, there have also been changes although they are in the same building on Heaphy Tce.
“We’ve been through three computer systems since I’ve been here,” says Judy and there is now less reliance on doctors’ handwriting.
The system now is Indici, a free secure online patient portal which allows patients to manage their health needs digitally by ordering repeat prescriptions, making an appointment and viewing test results.
“I’ve seen four generations come through here. There are about four or five, four generation families that come in here that I know of.”
“That’s the cool thing about it.”
She and Grant have a big two acre garden at their home.
“I really enjoy gardening, I belong to a couple of garden groups and go on trips.”
She does scrapbooking, card making and travels to see her grandson competing in motocross.
Leadership award
Norm Hill was so saddened by the continued disposal of household and other refuse into the Waikato River that he founded the Waikato River Kaitiaki River Sweepers.
For that and other reasons he has been named Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF) alumni leader of the year.
The award recognises the positive impact and contribution a leader and their leadership has had on their own organisation and community, exemplifying the mission and values of the foundation.
Hill, a graduate of CELF’s leadership programme in 2019, is a consulting specialist who has led and facilitated many environmental, social and cultural wellbeing projects in the Waikato in areas as diverse as solar energy, water treatment and purification and cultural tourism.
He was recognised for his practical leadership and contributions to community development and environmental sustainability at a ceremony in Hamilton last year.
Hill played a key role as Tikanga Māori advisor for the Waikato Wellbeing Project by embedding indigenous perspectives into the project’s framework, ensuring that cultural values were reflected in initiatives aimed at improving the region’s intergenerational wellbeing.
When not at the races, they watch on Speedhive, the sport’s online platform.
Now 64, Judy says she is unlikely to celebrate 50 years at Fairfield Medical Centre, but retirement is not on the horizon, yet.
She works three days a week rather than full time and has amassed enough leave to be able to take some time off next year to travel.
“I’ll hang in there a bit more, I really like the company here. It doesn’t feel like 40 years because every day is different and the people in Fairfield are lovely,” says Judy.
Fairfield Medical Centre had been “extremely fortunate” to have a number of very dedicated and long-term employees, said Frank Cullen.
“Judy, having served the longest, has been the backbone of that group,” he said.
“Forty years’ service to a busy medical centre is a lot of loyalty, commitment and hard work, and Judy has that in spades.”
Norm Hill acknowledges the audience at the alumni leader of the year ceremony at Waikato University. Photo: Stephen Barker.
Judy Cowie
Thrive in 2025 —
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You belong here.
2025: Time to thrive
By CLAIRE WILLIAMSON
2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Kiwi homeowners, buyers, investors, and mortgage holders. With economic shifts, evolving government policies, and new trends, here are my top five predictions.
1. House prices will continue to rise, but at a slower pace
Property values are forecast to grow by 6–7% this year, driven by lower mortgage rates, limited housing supply, and increasing borrowing capacity among buyers. While growth won’t match the peaks of the COVID-19 era, it’s expected to follow a steady trajectory similar to 2017–2018, when annual increases ranged between 4–7%. For homeowners, this continued price appreciation is good news for building equity, while new buyers will face a competitive but manageable market.
2. Interest Rates Will Stabilise at Lower Levels
Following a series of OCR cuts last year, mortgage rates are expected to stabilise at lower levels; and if I had to guess, it would be for 1–2 year fixed rates to fall between 4.5% and 5% by the end of 2025. This provides greater certainty for borrowers, offering opportunities for first-home buyers and first-time investors to enter the market with more affordable repayments. With many mortgage holders currently fixed very short term, 2025 is likely to see borrowers look further out to medium and long term for certainty of rates.
3. Green mortgages will gain momentum
Sustainable lending is on the rise as banks roll out green mortgage options with incentives like lower interest rates or
cashback for purchasing energy-efficient homes or completing eco-friendly upgrades. With looming sustainability targets, lenders are keen to attract environmentally conscious borrowers. Many clients are already leveraging these options to save money and contribute to a greener future.
4. First-home buyers will benefit from policy changes
Government initiatives to improve housing affordability are starting to yield results.
Expanded access to the First Home Loan scheme, combined with lower interest rates and reduced test servicing requirements, will enable more Kiwis to secure their first home.
For first-home buyers, it’s a great time to get pre-approved and enter the market while prices are still relatively subdued.
5. Investors will re-enter the market with a broader focus
A steadier outlook for long-term rates and improved borrowing capacity are drawing investors back into the property market. However, their strategies are shifting, with more exploring commercial real estate and short-term accommodation alongside traditional residential investments. Regional areas with affordable prices will remain hotspots for investors seeking value, yield and growth.
The key to success lies in having a clear strategy and the right advisor by your side. As we navigate this dynamic market, remember: planning ahead and staying informed will help you thrive in the year to come.
Claire Williamson is a Waikato Mortgage Advisor.
Weaving on display
Stunning new creations by members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearea have gone on display in the recently reopened Waikato regional museum.
He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements - supported by the master weavers group Te Kāhui Whiritoi – draws inspiration from the air, earth, fire, water and spirit.
It celebrates the legacy of weaving through traditional and contemporary handcrafted works.
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato reopened last month with improved facilities, new exhibitions and a new name.
Other exhibitions are the Astronomy Photographer
of the Year, making its New Zealand debut and showcasing breathtaking photography.
Timeline: Waikato Art 1850 to 2000 features early 19th century landscapes, portraits by internationally renowned local photographer Henry Gaze, and works from notable 20th century artists including Mary McIntyre, Robert Ellis, and Buck Nin.
Waikato-King Country exhibits include King Country landscape paintings by Peter McIntyre, John Weeks and Violet Watson.
There are also early watercolours of the Waitomo Caves, Pirongia from Mangatama, the Waipā River at Ōtorohanga, an
image of the Arapuni Dam by New Zealand photographer Laurence Aberhart and a painting of Hautapu School by Rodney Hamel
The museum had been closed for six months for renovations.
Pā
Zealand Architecture Awards which honour the country’s top architecture projects each year. The Pā was also a general award recipient in the Education category.
Fast tracked
Buyers can now buy off the plans in Perry Group’s Te Awa Lakes lifestyle development in Horotiu north of Hamilton. When the first stage is finished, the 90ha development will have 2500 homes and later on, that will grow to 15,000. Te Awa was included in the government’s fast track projects.
Drivers’ seats Gold medal Waikato Olympians Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors have been appointed Mazda ambassadors and will drive hybrids during the partnership.
It’s not just who you know, it’s who others know. Networking is powerful.
Raise
Liz Cotton, director Museum and Arts, Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.
Artist passes the sniff test
Sandra Turner-Barlow’s modest start as an artist saw her dabbling early and prolifically, with the growing pile of work shoved under her bed for lack of space. Today, she is considered the rising star of the Waikato art world. Viv Posselt investigates.
Fresh from a European trip that included a course with an Italian master, Sandra Turner-Barlow is now recognised as one of Waikato’s critically acclaimed artists, albeit one who regularly pinches herself to see if she’s dreaming.
Content as a mum and teacher, she for years filled the spaces between with her lifelong passion for art. The sea-change came six years ago when a friend suggested she squire her work around local galleries. One of the first was Hamilton East’s Welcome Swallow Gallery.
“I went along, met Clive [gallery curator Clive Gilson], and showed him some of my work,” she said. Gilson is the man behind Welcome Swallow’s charitable model that directs gallery profits to nonprofit organisations supporting children; it has sold over a million dollars’ worth of art in the past couple of years.
Volunteers’ Choice Award.
Turner-Barlow was stunned at the resounding ‘tick’… unlike Gilson, who says she has “an extremely deep sense of composition that is matched by her use of different media”.
“She has the whole nine yards, if you will.”
Turner-Barlow, Hamiltonborn and based, teaches at Fairfield Primary School
captured a ‘socio-political interpretation’ of the five major cities.
Such is the high regard in which Turner-Barlow is held that Gilson offered her an opportunity to ‘further her art journey’ through a trip to Europe in October.
“Funding came through a consortium of supporters,” he said. “Their willingness to get behind her saw us raise the funds for the trip over a single weekend.”
He has a clear recollection of that first meeting with Turner-Barlow.
“We have probably 25 to 35 artists we are frequently able to sell, some we occasionally sell and about 150 others I have to hold back with a stick. When I first saw Sandra’s work, she fell immediately into the first category.”
So impressed was Gilson that he bypassed his usual move of putting new work into the linked gift shop “to see if it passes the sniff test”, asking her instead to exhibit in the 2019 Christmas in the Gallery exhibition. It was her first public outing, and her watercolour entitled Misty Trees won that year’s
and can’t remember a time when she wasn’t ‘doing art’. She uses watercolour, oils, graphite pencil, took art as part of her teaching degree, and always remained open to whatever captured her imagination.
Her work includes detailed botanicals and the bright expressionist paintings she started doing in earnest after a visit to Dunedin, where the juxtaposition of old buildings and today’s ‘bland concrete’ blocks inspired her 2023 work entitled Moving Towards.
That series of oils, depicting the five major cities in New Zealand in a way that created an impressionistic social commentary on each, was at the heart of last year’s Audi Five Cities Showcase: Moving Towards.
Gilson said it was the first time an artist had
Turner-Barlow was in her element. She spent a week with the Italian art master in the mountains outside Bologna, then inhaled as much art as she could across Florence, Rome, Paris and London before coming home.
During her time away, she took thousands of photographs and worked her newfound inspiration into numerous sketches.
One of them, a delicate depiction of the St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, is an image that Gilson says demonstrates something he hadn’t seen in her before. “Her ability is sponge-like.”
Turner-Barlow said she feels “blessed and very grateful” for the opportunity to go abroad. Work from that European trip will appear in an exhibition at Welcome Swallow early this year.
In the meantime, the gallery’s new exhibition ‘Pepper’ opened on November 29 and runs through to January 24.
PHOTO: This painting of Kirikiroa-Hamilton was one of Turner-Barlow’s Audi Five Cities Showcase exhibited at Welcome Swallow Gallery last year. It seeks to show both sides of the city separated by the Waikato River, as well as the separation between urban and rural.
and Scientific
Katchafire
back
Hometown heroes come global roots reggae phenomenon Katchafire will see out the Hamilton Arts Festival’s closing night on March 2 with a performance celebrating 28 years of existence and revisiting their debut album Revival. Opening night on February 21 features the Hamilton City Brass and the Festival Chorus.
Meatstock
returns
Kiwi legends Shapeshifter, Devilskin and Ladyhawke headline Meatstock the ultimate celebration of barbecue, music and non stop entertainment at Mystery Creek next month. The infamous Better Beer Dad Bod contest, beard and mo wars along with axe throwing, archery tag, Buhurt battles, medieval and powerlifting wars, the muscle popping arm battles and the Sausage Sizzle Throwdown.
Road improvements
State Highway 1B Telephone Rd in Waikato will reopen this year following agreement by KiwiRail and the NZ Transport Agency on a package of improvements to enable the road and rail crossing to function safely and effectively together. The road has been closed since April 2022 after repeated instances of low vehicles damaging the railway tracks at the level crossing.
Book online www.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz info@boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz P 07 870 4321
Waikato artist Sandra Turner-Barlow is constantly surprised at the level of recognition her work gets. Photo: supplied
It Seems Clearer Now, What 2025 Holds in Store!
Just over twelve months ago we were about to welcome in a new government, although we didn’t quite know how the negotiations were going to pan out - but now we do.
What can we expect in 2025?
The commercial property environment is likely to be a game of two halves, moving from survival mode to prospering.
Q1 & Q2 2025
- Business failures will unfortunately continue, with hospitality and retail the most likely to be impacted.
- Vacancy rates will peak, having slowly risen over the last couple of years.
- Unemployment will continue to rise, as businesses ‘right-size’.
- While interest rates are falling and will continue to do so, finance will remain a challenge, particularly when it comes to business and development finance.
Q3 & Q4 2025
- Consensus seems to be that the Official Cash Rate will end up in the 3.0% - 3.5% range (currently 4.25%), which should finally provide some much needed stability.
- Businesses will start to see the light and look to slowly re-employ, as confidence for the future and a positive outlook returns to the market.
- Vacancy rates will start to decrease, particularly for well located, modern and/or quality redeveloped properties. Businesses will be preparing for growth and positioning themselves accordingly.
- Access to finance will improve, as banks re-enter the market and the recent reliance on private capital eases.
A year on from when commercial and industrial investors and owner occupiers had two issues - access to capital and the cost of capital, its now largely only about access to capital. Private capital and lending has increasingly filled the void that has been left by major trading banks. Recapitalising Kiwibank has to be a good thing, although one wonders what the impact will be on the business, commercial and industrial sectors.
The bell has tolled and we are already seeing increased levels of activity from investors and owner occupiers with access to capital - and those businesses working towards a more positive future. This activity will gain momentum as we navigate through 2025. What will happen to commercial property yields ?
Just as we won’t see the double digit yields of the 1990’s return, neither will the historic lows we saw in 2021 and early 2022. We are however, likely to see more sustainable yields, along the lines of traditional expectations and norms.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”
- Martin Luther King
My advice for 2025, but starting right now:
• If you are considering purchasing, whether you are an owner occupier or investor, now is absolutely the time. Take action today with a view to the future.
• If the deal works today, then it’s only going to look better in hindsight.
• Position your business for the future.
• Set your list of criteria and then get active – but be prepared to compromise where necessary.
• Quality property is always quality property in the long term. So hopefully you enjoyed your break with friends and family over Christmas and New Years, for the last twelve months was turbulent to say the least. As 2024 was the year of opportunity, 2025 will increasingly become the year heading towards prosperity.
The Waikato region is a powerhouse and as New Zealand’s fastest growing city, we have more and more reasons to be proud Hamiltonians.
Mike Neale, Managing Director, NAI Harcourts Hamilton
‘Lost Password’ nightmares
By JOSH MOORE
In the digital age, social media is a cornerstone of business success.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Google Business help you connect with your audience, showcase your brand, and drive sales. But what happens when the person managing your accounts leaves and takes the keys to your social media kingdom with them?
It’s an all-too-common scenario that can cause headaches, lost revenue, and reputational damage. And it happens more often that you might think.
So even though it feels boring, knowing your passwords and securing access to your social media pages is a must for every business owner.
The Risk of Being Locked Out
Imagine this: a staff member who managed your social media or Google Business Profile leaves your company. You’ve trusted them to handle everything, so you didn’t bother to get involved. Months later, you realise that your business’s Facebook page hasn’t been updated. Worse still, you discover that they were the only person with admin access. Or worse yet, you might not even know which previous staff member had the access!
You’re locked out, unable to post updates, respond to messages, or even regain control.
This nightmare doesn’t just halt your marketing efforts — it damages your credibility. Customers may assume your business is inactive, leading to lost opportunities and a tarnished reputation.
The Solution: Shared Responsibility
To prevent this scenario, it’s vital to have multiple administrators on all your business’s social media accounts. Most platforms allow
you to assign different levels of access, from admin to editor roles.
By having at least two administrators— preferably the business owner and another trusted team member—you ensure continuous access. Even if one person leaves or becomes unavailable, the other can maintain control.
Fortify Your Accounts with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if you have multiple administrators, your social media accounts remain vulnerable to hackers. If one of your administrator accounts gets hacked, the hackers can lock you out of your pages, holding your account hostage or using it to post inappropriate content.
Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) is a simple yet powerful way to protect your accounts. With 2FA, even if someone guesses your password, they’ll need a secondary code sent to your phone or email to gain access. This extra layer of security drastically reduces the risk of unauthorised access. (And while you’re at it, please use a good level of complexity in your passwords to make it harder for hackers to crack).
Don’t Risk Your Digital Presence
Your businesses social media profiles are too valuable to leave to chance. By securing your accounts with shared responsibility, robust passwords, and 2FA, you can avoid the stress of losing access and protect your business from disruptions. Even though it may feel boring, take action today to safeguard your digital presence and keep your business thriving.
Josh Moore is the Managing Director at Hamilton-based digital marketing agency Duoplus.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
A fresh pair of eyes
By SENGA ALLEN
Welcome to 2025! The New Year is a great time for a fresh start, and for employers in New Zealand, it’s the perfect chance to make sure your workplace is running smoothly and legally. Whether you’re tidying up employment agreements, checking policies, or planning ahead for leave, a bit of prep now can save a lot of headaches down the track. Here are some key areas to focus on as you kick off the year.
Check Your Employment Agreements
Your employment agreements are like the foundation of your workplace. Make sure they’re up to scratch and meet the requirements of the Employment Relations Act. Check job descriptions, hours of work, and termination clauses are clear and up to date. If you’ve got casual or fixed-term employees, double-check their agreements are accurate — especially around how long their agreement lasts and what kind of work they’re expected to do.
Update Workplace Policies
Workplace policies need to keep up with the times. Review key policies, such as: Health and Safety: Are you covering everything under the Health and Safety at Work Act? Identify and manage any new risks.
Flexible Work: If your team is working remotely or in a hybrid setup, update your policies to clarify expectations, equipment use and safety for home offices.
Bullying and Harassment: Check your policies promote a safe, inclusive workplace and reflect the latest best practices.
If you make any changes, let your team know and offer training if needed.
Plan for Leave and Holidays Get on top of leave management.
Employees in New Zealand are entitled to four weeks’ annual leave, along with sick leave, bereavement leave, and public holidays. It’s also a good time to check your holiday pay accruals after the summer break. Make a plan with employees on how they will get their leave balance in check.
Set Clear Goals for Performance
Set clear goals for your team. A solid performance management process helps employees know what’s expected of them and how their work fits into the big picture. Regular check-ins and performance reviews can keep everyone on the same page. If someone isn’t hitting the mark, remember to follow fair processes when addressing performance issues — this will help avoid personal grievance claims.
Focus on Workplace Culture
Finally, the New Year is a great time to invest in your workplace culture. Whether it’s recognising achievements, offering training opportunities, or committing to diversity and inclusion, a positive workplace vibe can make a big difference. Happy employees are less likely to raise disputes, and a great culture helps attract and keep top talent.
Starting the year with a bit of planning and a focus on employment law can set your business up for success. By reviewing agreements, updating policies, managing leave, and building a positive culture, you’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings. Taking the time to get things right now will mean fewer surprises and more time to focus on growing your business.
Senga Allen is Managing Director of Everest People.
Housing a successful society
By PHIL MACKAY
Part One: Playtime!
Good housing is fundamental to a successful society.
Have you ever considered, though, the relationship between housing, and opportunities for kids (and adults) to play? It’s summertime, the perfect time to be playing outside. Whether you’re at the bach, the beach, a holiday camp, or simply spending some time relaxing around town, give some thought to the access your kids have to play, especially the unsupervised kind. I suspect they’ve a lot more freedom at a holiday camp for example, than at home. Play is an important learning experience for kids. Aside from the obvious health and wellbeing benefits, and the social skills we learn on the playground, play is one of the ways that we learn to understand and manage risk, a vital life skill.
On RNZ’s The Detail recently, Dr Alex Bonham, author of “Play and the City” and with a doctorate on play, discussed the value of play in learning about risk and understanding our instincts. “If you’re climbing a tree, you’re developing your physical skills, but you’re also getting really good at working out how far you should push yourself.”
Auckland Council’s play portfolio lead, Jacquelyn Collins, said “I want my child to learn that when she’s climbing a tree, I don’t want her to learn that when she’s 15 and some guy who’s had six beers at a party is offering to drive her home. I want her to already know how to listen to her instincts and trust her own decision-making.”
REGIONAL VIEW
Collins also touched on how kids’ opportunities for play have changed: “our traditional approach to our ‘play network’ … has been based on a walkable catchment model.” In other words, most neighbourhoods have a small playground within a five- or 10-minute walk, yet even this short walk now likely requires a parent following along. As Collins said, “those little local playgrounds, were fantastic when children had the freedom to roam without their parents.”
Instead, it’s now more common to visit a larger destination playground, supervised, and transported, by an adult.
The way that we have chosen to develop housing in the last 30 years has seen section sizes get smaller and more dependency on cars – due to the distance of housing from amenities and workplaces. It’s not a stretch to suggest that busier streets designed for cars, and smaller backyards, have led to fewer opportunities for kids to play, and to play unsupervised.
As we move towards denser housing models, we should also consider how we might design communities with more opportunities for safe play.
This may seem like nostalgic wishful thinking, but we do need to prioritise opportunities for our kids to learn and build their own confidence, without anxious parents helicoptering around.
Phil Mackay is Business Development Manager at Hamilton-based PAUA, Procuta Associates Urban + Architecture
Our powerhouse industries
By PAMELA STOREY
At the recent Regional Growth Summit, it was fascinating to hear from Company-X co-founder David Hallett on the region’s tech sector.
Simply put, it’s growing. Rapidly.
David shared with the audience that in 2023, the tech sector in the Waikato contributed approximately $1.3 billion, or around 4% of the region’s GDP. Approximately 40% of this is manufacturing activity, 37% telecommunications, and 23% digital technologies
While the digital tech component is the smallest of the three subsectors, it is by far the fastest growing, with activity expanding by an average of 11.7% per year.
So how does this compare to the region’s agri sector by size and make-up? Agriculture is also made up of a number of different parts. The usual definition includes: sheep, beef and grain farming; dairy farming; other livestock farming; and agricultural support services. Broadening the definition slightly could see the horticulture and fruit-growing industry also included.
In the Waikato region, dairy farming is by far the largest component of the agriculture sector, making up around two-thirds of valueadded by the sector.
The agriculture sector has seen average real growth of 2.4 percent per year over the past 5 years. If we include horticulture and the fruitgrowing industry, the contribution of food production is even greater.
While tech was only 40 percent of the size of the agriculture sector in 2023, its growth rate of 5.8 percent compared to 2.4 percent would see it overtake agriculture in 2050. There are
What’s happening with New Zealand citizenship?
Anyone born in New Zealand prior to 1 January 2006 or born in NZ on or after this date to a parent who is a NZ citizen, or NZ resident, is automatically a NZ citizen. A person who is born overseas to a NZ citizen parent may also be eligible for NZ citizenship by descent.
Otherwise, NZ citizenship can normally only be obtained by grant which requires a person to hold a NZ resident visa and to have lived in NZ as a resident for at least 240 days each year, and a total of 1350 days, in the 5 years immediately preceding the date of their citizenship application (with some exceptions). Applicants must also be of good character and have a suitable level of English understanding. Following approval, they will normally receive their citizenship certificate at a formal ceremony, and they can then apply for a NZ passport.
Citizenship applications cost $470.20 (adult), and are processed by the Department of Internal Affairs, and almost 40,000 people were granted New Zealand citizenship in the year to 30 June 2024. The main source countries were India (6,218), UK (4,789), Philippines (3,969), South Africa (3,918), China (2,340), Fiji (2,238) & Samoa (2,029) with USA, Tonga and Sri Lanka rounding out the top 10 countries.
to the approval stage. It appears that around 50% of applications do pass the auto check and are approved in a very timely manner. However, those that do not pass are generally looking at a 12+ month timeline which is understandably of great frustration for these applicants. Reasons for why an application may be delayed can relate to their character, visa history, inconsistent identity information and if they applied too early.
We expect the number of people being eligible for the grant of NZ citizenship to remain consistent, or even reduce, over the next 2 years but from 2027 the number will very significantly increase. This is due to some 200,000+ people gaining NZ residence as a consequence of the 2021 Resident Visa which was introduced during Covid to transition work visa holders to NZ residence.
In the year to October 2024 some 80,000 NZ citizens left the country (a new record) and, in this same year, NZ recorded a net migration gain of 38,800 – well down on the 136,000 gain in the previous 12 month period. The net monthly migration gain in October 2024 was 4,900 people. The current net migration trend is clearly down, and the expectation is that some time in the next 6 months NZ will begin to record net monthly migration losses.
some caveats with that, of course.
Growth rates in the agri sector can be sensitive to seasonal effects that affect economic activity (for example, due to the effects of drought or flood) and international markets have a significant influence on returns. The agriculture industry in the Waikato is relatively mature too, which often is associated with slower growth in economic activity. The land and water resources on which agriculture depends represent a constraint on future growth.
That means projecting the future pathway of agricultural GDP based on historical patterns is tricky. And I would emphasise, slower growth potential doesn’t mean agriculture won’t remain a hugely important component of our regional economy! It absolutely will!
While this is crystal ball-gazing for now, it does present enormous opportunity. Together, these are two powerhouse industries of our region. And I’m pleased that the tech industry has recognised that. Tech in the Tron is an industry initiative that is accelerating tech and innovation in Hamilton. It promotes the region’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, agritech, AI and machine learning, building and maintaining next generation software, and cybersecurity.
Run by The Cultivate Trust, it’s a collective of private businesses, education providers and public entities. Together they are helping grow the industry, attract people and investment into the Waikato, and helping grow our economy. Now that’s something worth celebrating!
Pamela
The DIA website states that 93% of applicants are granted citizenship within 18 months of submitting their application. However, we have seen many decisions made very quickly, within 2-3 weeks, but also decisions which have taken well over 12 months. This variance in processing times is currently a matter of great angst among applicants and their advisers. The DIA uses algorithms to compare data such as identity verification, presence in NZ and good character and, as far as we can understand, if these auto checks are favourable then the application quickly moves
NZ citizenship provides the opportunity to live and work in Australia and, historically, some 55% of NZ citizens who do leave, relocate to Australia. Stats NZ does not record the original birth country of NZ citizens who leave the country but, one can imagine that, come 2027, the outflow to Australia of non-NZ born citizens will increase dramatically.
Apart from the Covid years, and a period from 2011 to 2013, New Zealand has always enjoyed positive net migration and the associated economic benefits – it looks like this is about to change!
Storey is Waikato Regional Council chair and these are her personal views.
Vibrant places
By NICOLA GREENWELL
Did you explore the mighty Waikato over the holiday?
Our December column encouraged you to enjoy Waikato; to share your favourite spots with visiting friends and family. There’s still time to discover the many incredible things to see, do, taste, and experience across our region.
Visit a new attraction, try a local eatery, or attend one of our many events. Your choices make a difference, helping to sustain and grow a thriving region we can all be proud of.
At Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, our mission is to attract leisure visitors and business events, encouraging visitors to explore further, stay longer, and create lasting memories. We work closely with tourism operators to ensure visitors have great experiences, which inspires return visits and generates positive stories about the Waikato to be shared far and wide.
Some think tourism only benefits the visitor sector. However, a vibrant place to visit is a vibrant place to live. The attractions and experiences developed for visitors – from world-class destinations like Hobbiton Movie Set and Hamilton Gardens to our cycle trails and event venues – enrich the lives of residents too.
Hospitality and retail, which serves locals, also relies on the visitor economy. We saw this firsthand during the pandemic – businesses were impacted. Visitors and residents together help sustain these sectors, creating vibrant communities for everyone to enjoy.
Tourism doesn’t just bring people here for holidays. Tourism is the shopfront to the
mighty Waikato, enticing investors, employees and students.
Often, a visitor’s first experience of the Waikato is through a business event or conference. If hosted well and leave with great memories, they’re more likely to return for leisure – or consider the Waikato as a place to live, work, or invest. A vibrant, welcoming region can inspire people to send their children here to study, relocate for career opportunities, or build businesses that contribute to the local economy.
Spend from visitors is new money into the region, spent across activities, accommodation, retail, hospitality etc. Which in turn is distributed to employees, suppliers and providers, and their employees.
The key point: tourism generates NEW money into the community.
The visitor sector directly employs around 12,600 people across the Waikato, generating $44 million in earnings each month.
While tourism is not the primary export earner within our region, tourism industry is an export earner and holds significant potential for growth and diversification.
The vibrancy and vitality brought by tourism ripple throughout our communities, supporting jobs, businesses, and infrastructure. What’s good for visitors is good for those of us who call Waikato home.
Together, let’s celebrate and support the mighty Waikato – a region that’s not just a great place to visit but a fantastic place to live, work, and invest. Share your experiences, be a great Waikato Ambassador!
Nicola Greenwell is general manager of Hamilton and Waikato Tourism.
Let me tell you about Gavin Midgley — Dargaville born and raised where dirt roads and farming roots shaped the foundation of his story. Growing up surrounded by the hum of tractors and the rhythm of rural life, Gavin’s curiosity wasn’t just about how things worked—it was about how to make them better, bigger and stronger.
Unsurprisingly, this spirit of innovation led him to launch Midgley Developments in 2016, a business born out of a deep desire to build and create.
Gavin’s journey to Waikato wasn’t just one straight line. He hit the books hard, diving into business studies and engineering, a dual focus that gave him the tools to think both practically and strategically. For him, it was never about crunching numbers or following blueprints; it was about asking: “How can this be done differently? How can it be done better?”
This curiosity fuelled his drive to take on some massive projects. He highlighted the Hamilton Temple project, a three-year odyssey that included earthworks, roads, and services. It wasn’t just about moving dirt; it was about shaping the groundwork for something meaningful. Then there’s Pairere Interchange on State Highway 1, a project that brought his vision to life on one of New Zealand’s most vital transport arteries.
As a proud Church College old boy, Gavin doesn’t shy away from sharing the lessons that came with the territory. One that sticks with
him? Having the wrong people on the boat. In his words, “You can have the best boat, but if the crew isn’t rowing in the same direction, you’re going nowhere fast.” It’s a hard truth he’s learned to navigate, and it’s shaped how he approaches building his team.
But let’s be real — there have been those “hit the wall” moments. You know, those times when the tank feels empty, and the road ahead seems longer than ever. Gavin credits those moments for teaching him resilience. His mantra? Push on. The wall isn’t the end; it’s just part of the journey.
It’s not just about what’s being built; it’s about who’s building it. Growing a core team and watching individuals thrive — both personally and professionally — is one of his proudest achievements. “When the people grow, the projects grow,” he says.
Now, with projects spanning the North Island, Gavin finds himself back in Dargaville, closer to family and the place where it all began. There’s something poetic about working on home turf, building not just for the future but also for the community that shaped him.
Gavin’s story isn’t just about dirt and steel; it’s about grit, growth, and the power of curiosity. He’s proof that no matter where you start, the right mix of passion and purpose can take you anywhere. Keep an eye on him — he’s just getting started.
Apulu Alo Aliitaeao (Tjay) Asiata is the CEO of LM4 Group.
WAIKATO AUTOMOTIVE DIRECTORY
Keeping a focus on light
Regularly checking your car’s headlights is essential for safe driving, particularly at night or in poor weather conditions. You need to be able to see well while at the same time, not blinding someone coming toward you.
Headlights allow you to see clearly in low-light conditions, making them vital for night driving and navigating fog, rain, or other adverse weather. Dimming, lights that are set too high or conversely, too low, or malfunctioning lights, reduce your visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. Working headlights make your car visible to other drivers and pedestrians. Without properly functioning lights, other road users may not notice you, especially in low-visibility conditions.
In New Zealand, it’s a legal requirement that your
vehicle’s lights are all operational. Driving with faulty lights can result in fines and may cause you to fail your Warrant of Fitness (WoF) check. It’s easy to check your headlights at home. Turn on your lights and walk around the car to inspect both low beams and high beams. Ensure they are equally bright and focused correctly. Pay attention to any flickering, which could indicate electrical issues.
If you notice a bulb isn’t working, replace it immediately. Modern LED and halogen bulbs last longer but should still be checked periodically for wear.
Maintaining your headlights is a simple yet crucial task to ensure your safety and compliance on the road.
Out and about…
National Hauora Coalition chair Dame Paula Rebstock presents Matawhaanui Trust’s Malika Kanawa and Blayne Berryman with their award at the coalition’s annual awards.
Photo: Rawhitiroa Photography.
That Awesome Guy inspirational speaker Cam Calkoen pictured from left with Between Two Beers podcast host Seamus Marten, South Waikato mayor Gary Petley, The Good Day Matrix founder Daz Burns and South Waikato Investment Fund Trust chairperson Stephen Veitch at the trust’s Workplace Wellbeing event in Tokoroa. Photo: Supplied.
Saane Hafoka and Sabrian Reupena from LM4 Group at the launch of Waikato Waahine Collective in Hamilton last month.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF) celebrated the Leadership Class of 2024 graduation at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. From left, back: Sam Kilgour (Prolife Foods), Karen Scott (Scott Solutions), Mark Clough (Fosters), Gary Smith (WCML), Ryan Smith (Schick). 2nd Row: Amber-Lee Elliott (Kiatipu), Andrea Elliott-Hohepa (Te Rūnganga o Kirikiriroa), Nicky Forsyth (ISS), Megan Campbell (Director), Pru Sheahan (Braemar Hospital), Natalie Brownlie (Te Tamawai Trust), Tracey Cameron (Habitat For Humanity), Amanda Shaw (Graeme Dingle Foundation). Front Row: Murray Jorgensen (PPL Plastic Solutions), Chris Graham (Te Awamutu Youth Development Trust), Khane Kakai (WEL Networks), Kristel van Houte (Karioi Project), Fariya Begum (Shama), Jared Monk (Montage Group), Jason Smith (Golden Homes).
Photo: Stephen Barker.
Fresh from her dip in the ice bath, Cambridge Community House (CCH) general manager Gabby Byrne shares a laugh with CCH trustee Chad Danswan. The pair were spotted at last year’s Movember Tradie fundraising breakfast at Cambridge ITM, attended by about 40 locals keen to support the men’s health initiative. They heard speakers on a range of health issues, took part in a rowing competition and swelled coffers by jumping in an ice bath. Photo: Supplied
Waikato Chamber of Commerce welcomed two members of Trade & Investment Queensland –senior trade and investment Commissioner Leata Alaimoana and senior business development manager Joe Fuavao. From left, chamber commercial manager Jenny MacGregor; business development and relationship manager Rob Finlayson; Joe Fuavao, Leata Alaimoana, chamber chair Peter Nation. Photo: Supplied.
The most common thing you hear with construction projects is budget blow-outs. Not with Fosters. They stuck to our budget, asked all the right questions and made sure decisions were aligned with our vision.
Chief Operating Officer at The Crate, Andy Prentice, said Fosters was chosen for this job based on a strong reputation for delivery, and ability to navigate an operational business environment.
“Firstly, we needed a company that could manage noise restrictions and minimise disruptions. And secondly, Fosters is known for delivering a high-quality finish, which was crucial for us” he said.
The project involved transforming an unused section of the building into functional space, as well as reconfiguring the existing layout.
Modern, vibrant office spaces with a mixture of open plan office, quiet booths and meeting rooms, the outcome is both stylish and practical. Exposed services, raw timber accents, and moveable walls are finishing features.
Andy appreciated Fosters’ early involvement in the design process; their expertise in budgeting and problem-solving shining through.
“The most common thing you hear with construction projects is
budget blow-outs. Not with Fosters. They stuck to our budget, asked all the right questions and made sure decisions were aligned with our vision.”
The team’s attention to detail and project management exceeded Andy’s expectations.
“We had a great relationship with the Foster Maintain team” he said. “They were always responsive and quick to provide expert feedback. Nothing was ever too hard; they were great at tailoring solutions to work for us.
“We’re incredibly proud of the new space” he concluded. “We wanted a seamless integration, resulting in something stylish and comfortable, with a beautiful finish. Fosters nailed that. It has already made a huge difference to our business.
“I’d recommend Fosters in a heartbeat. They are a fantastic team who deliver a great end-product, and I am grateful to have worked with them.”
